About Ceisiwr: Even though I don't believe in supernatural beings, I've been...Even though I don't believe in supernatural beings, I've been interested in religious beliefs and mythology since I was a child (I'm now in my 60s), and I was myself a devout Christian until mid-teenage.show more

In the UK, Church leaders are speaking against the government's support for introducing same-sex marriage (a step up from the current Civil Partnerships), which shows a lack of compassion for, and persecution of, a minority....
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In the UK, Church leaders are speaking against the government's support for introducing same-sex marriage (a step up from the current Civil Partnerships), which shows a lack of compassion for, and persecution of, a minority. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/pol...
On the other hand, they're criticising the UK government for cutting benefits for the less well off. This seems to show compassion and an attempt to protect the poor. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21989816
There seems to me to be lack of direction. Why do they show charity to one set of people (which I applaud), while persecuting another (which I abhor)?

I have an HTC Wildfire S. It had a tool that you can touch to adjust or turn on/off GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Connection and Brightness (there might have been something else, but I'm not sure). I inadvertently deleted it by dragging it unintentionally, and I can't find out how to get it back. Any help would be appreciated.

I have an HTC Wildfire S. It had a tool that you can touch to adjust or turn on/off GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi Connection and Brightness (there might have been something else, but I'm not sure). I inadvertently deleted it by dragging it unintentionally, and I can't find out how to get it back. Any help would be appreciated.

This from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-20767537
Facebook's photo-sharing site Instagram has updated its privacy policy giving it the right to sell users' photos to advertisers without notification.
Unless users delete their Instagram accounts by a deadline of 16 January, they cannot opt out.
The changes also mean Instagram...
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This from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-207...
Facebook's photo-sharing site Instagram has updated its privacy policy giving it the right to sell users' photos to advertisers without notification.
Unless users delete their Instagram accounts by a deadline of 16 January, they cannot opt out.
The changes also mean Instagram can share information about its users with Facebook, its parent company, as well as other affiliates and advertisers.
The move riled social media users, with one likening it to a "suicide note".

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2242584/Scouts-pledge-drop-mention-God-promise-new-members-able-declare-atheists.html
I myself was a scout leader, and was accepted for the post despite admitting I don't believe in God. I saw my duty in this respect as supporting the children in what they believed. I didn't discuss with them the...
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-...
I myself was a scout leader, and was accepted for the post despite admitting I don't believe in God. I saw my duty in this respect as supporting the children in what they believed. I didn't discuss with them the fact that I didn't believe. The other adults involved in scouting and local clergy were aware of it.

I'm uncomfortable about any organisation discriminating against anyone, even if based on ancient scripture:
1 Timothy 2: "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the...
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I'm uncomfortable about any organisation discriminating against anyone, even if based on ancient scripture:
1 Timothy 2: "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety."

The Catholic Church seems to think so, describing Stonewall's award of Bigot of the Year to Cardinal Keith O'Brien as "intolerant and intimidatory tactics". The Cardinal has opposed the Scottish government's proposal to legalise gay marriage.
The following newspaper article goes into more detail:...
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The Catholic Church seems to think so, describing Stonewall's award of Bigot of the Year to Cardinal Keith O'Brien as "intolerant and intimidatory tactics". The Cardinal has opposed the Scottish government's proposal to legalise gay marriage.
The following newspaper article goes into more detail: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/nov...

As part of my reminiscence of my late teenage, I purchased this album and put it on my mp3 player and listened to it while working out in the gym. Near the beginning is the following about Christmas: "And Tommy doesn't know what day it is, he doesn't know who Jesus was, or what praying us; how can he be saved from the eternal...
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As part of my reminiscence of my late teenage, I purchased this album and put it on my mp3 player and listened to it while working out in the gym. Near the beginning is the following about Christmas: "And Tommy doesn't know what day it is, he doesn't know who Jesus was, or what praying us; how can he be saved from the eternal grave...". He experiences enlightenment and proclaims the gospel of pinball, and exhorts his followers to "get more in" to "become one of us".
So I wondered whether this was a take on the gospels that predated Jesus Christ Superstar and Godspell.

Here's a link:
http://www.persecution.org/2011/06/06/european-court-tells-u-k-government-to-clarify-rights-of-christians/
Whatever the principle involved, I can't help thinking that wearing a crucifix on a necklace is relatively unimportant so can't understand why the employers concerned forbade it to begin with; or why the...
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Here's a link:
http://www.persecution.org/2011/06/06/eu...
Whatever the principle involved, I can't help thinking that wearing a crucifix on a necklace is relatively unimportant so can't understand why the employers concerned forbade it to begin with; or why the employee insisted. That does seem disproportionate on both sides - however I don't know the full facts.
However I can see that the marriage counsellor who refused to counsel gay couples was exhibiting unacceptable prejudice and actually refusing to do his job. If he believes it wrong to be gay, he can apply that to himself without interfering with the legitimate freedoms of others and effectively persecuting them.

The French ban on the burqua comes into effect today:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8443679/Two-arrested-in-France-as-burka-ban-comes-in.html
I'm aware that some western women feel threatened by the hijab, niqab and burqa because it gives the impression of the subjugation of women (as do passages from Paul's...
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The French ban on the burqua comes into effect today:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnew...
I'm aware that some western women feel threatened by the hijab, niqab and burqa because it gives the impression of the subjugation of women (as do passages from Paul's epistles such as 1 Corinthians 11:6 and 1 Timothy 2:8-9).
But I think that people should have the personal choice and freedom to wear what they want, as long as it is genuinely their personal choice. In the UK, I understand that some women born here wear such clothing as a matter of cultural identity, even if their mothers never wore it.
There will be exceptions of course, such as when security is heightened in sensitive places like airports.

The Antediluvians were all very sober
For they had no Wine, and they brew'd no October;
All wicked, bad Livers, on Mischief still thinking,
For there can't be good Living where there is not good Drinking.
Derry down
'Twas honest old Noah first planted the Vine,
And mended his Morals by drinking its Wine;
He justly the...
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The Antediluvians were all very sober
For they had no Wine, and they brew'd no October;
All wicked, bad Livers, on Mischief still thinking,
For there can't be good Living where there is not good Drinking.
Derry down
'Twas honest old Noah first planted the Vine,
And mended his Morals by drinking its Wine;
He justly the drinking of Water decry'd;
For he knew that all Mankind, by drinking it, dy'd.
Derry down.
From this Piece of History plainly we find
That Water's good neither for Body or Mind;
That Virtue and Safety in Wine-bibbing's found
While all that drink Water deserve to be drown'd.
Derry down
So For Safety and Honesty put the Glass round.
(Benjamin Franklin, Philadelphia, written between 1726 and 1757)